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I know I’m not the only one fantasizing about the warm breeze and salty air of a Summer Beach day. There’s something special about sinking into a beach chair and gazing off into the crashing waves.
From the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf of Mexico to some islands floating in the Pacific, the United States has some truly breathtaking shorelines. This list could go on forever, and these are some of the most beautiful places you can visit when deciding on your next beach vacation.
1. Siesta Key, Florida
This barrier island just across from Sarasota features eight miles of soft white sand beaches, perfect for a day of relaxing in the Florida sunshine. Siesta Keys is known for its laid-back lifestyle, which includes lounging on the beach and enjoying tropical beverages.
Visitors can spend their days snorkeling in the warm water, playing volleyball and tennis, and enjoying the local concessions. It’s an excellent location for locals and tourists looking for a fantastic beach day.
2. Key West, Florida
Those who have spent time in the Florida Keys know that the locals’ way of life differs slightly from the rest of the country. Key West is eclectic, but that’s the charm of the island town.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park has clear turquoise water, perfect for snorkeling and turtle watching. After spending time on the beach, check out Mallory Square’s shops, bars, and street performers for a unique, unforgettable Florida Keys experience.
3. Clearwater Beach, Florida
This three-mile beach along the Florida Gulf Coast is a getaway for beachgoers looking to relax or get their adrenaline pumping. The beach offers plenty of paddleboard, kayaking, and parasailing lessons for those looking for a thrill and private cabanas for those looking to unwind.
The beach itself is magnificent. The soft white sand contrasts with the warm, crystal-clear water. Numerous resorts and amenities are available, whether you’re staying for a day or a whole week.
4. Destin, Florida
Destin is the ideal beach town if you want to spend an afternoon fishing. Nicknamed “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” due to its overpopulation of grouper and red snapper, it’s a great spot for a day on the boat.
Speaking of taking a boat out. Be sure to venture out to Crab Island. It’s an incredible sandbar in the ocean, only accessible by boat. How cool is it to have a little private island in the middle of the ocean?
5. Assateague Island, Maryland/Virginia
Pack your bags and camp on this barrier island, which is famous for the wild horses grazing the beaches. There is something special about watching those majestic creatures explore the sandy beaches of the Atlantic.
North Beach is a fine location for sunbathing, building sand castles, and splashing around in the mellow waves. There are also plenty of opportunities to rent kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel equipment for a fun day on the water.
6. Alabama Gulf Coast
When you think of beaches, Alabama might not immediately come to mind, but the Alabama Gulf Coast is home to some fantastic beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. The warm water and white quartz sand beaches make this one of the most popular beach destinations in the South.
The three-mile coastline of Gulf Shores State Park is excellent for tourists with families. Visitors can cast a line off the pier for a day of fishing or charter a boat to go dolphin watching. After a fun-filled day at the beach, families can enjoy fresh local seafood at many of the local restaurants.
7. Half Moon Bay, California
About 30 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay State Park is home to one of the most stunning beaches in California. Technically, the Park is home to four different beaches. The Park includes Francis, Venice, Dunes, and Roosevelt beaches, all surrounded by massive cliffs, giving them a secluded feel.
In addition to the four beaches, just up the road is the famous surfing spot known as Mavericks. Surfers worldwide travel to Mavericks to surf the biggest break on the West Coast with waves as big as 50 feet.
8. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea is lined by coastal bluffs, cypress trees, and cottage-like homes that epitomize a fairy-tale beach town. Visitors can view this beautiful shoreline while golfing at Pebble Beach, one of the country’s most famous courses.
If golf isn’t your sport, the town has many award-winning restaurants and trendy art boutiques along its charming downtown streets.
9. Pfeiffer Beach, California
Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most beloved beaches in Big Sur due to its breathtaking beauty and remoteness. Travelers looking to get off the beaten path are greeted by epic rock formations, including the famous Keyhole Rock.
Once on the beach, visitors can wade in the tide pools, enjoy the sunset, and walk along the unique purple sand, the beautiful result of eroded manganese garnet washed down from the nearby creek.
10. Malibu, California
Malibu has four of Southern California’s most iconic beaches. This beach town just outside Los Angeles is home to Zuma, Surfrider, El Matador, and Point Dumes State Beaches.
Zuma is an ideal spot for local surfers to catch waves and for people to spot whales from the shore. Surfrider might be the most popular surfing spot in L.A. County, with the Malibu Pier as its most visited attraction. Lastly, El Matador and Point Dumes are where travelers go for beach hiking and taking in the beauty of the sharp cliff formations.
11. Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach is a little community just south of Los Angeles. The beach became famous during the early 2000s due to the MTV reality series following wealthy teenagers living their lives.
Even without the media exposure, Laguna Beach is known for its natural beauty. The unique coastline provides fun tide pools and underwater caves to explore by kayaking or snorkeling. Meanwhile, Main Beach offers beach sports, surfing, sunbathing, walking paths, and pop-up shops selling random souvenirs.
12. Coronado, California
When you travel south on Interstate 5 from Los Angeles, you’ll end up at Coronado Island, off the coast of San Diego. The town is home to some of the city’s rated restaurants, pristine beaches, and the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, a 100-year-old hotel featured in the Marilyn Monroe hit film Some Like it Hot (1958).
The beach has volleyball courts, firepits, bike lanes, and a designated dog-friendly beach. The year-round near-perfect weather makes this a great destination most of the year.
13. Mission Beach, California
Mission Beach in San Diego is one of the most visited beaches in Southern California. The beach has a boardwalk with various street performers, shops, restaurants, and bars. Pro tip: Enjoy one of San Diego’s famous fish tacos while visiting.
Across from the shore is Belmont Park, an amusement park with various carnival-style games, arcade rides, and the famous wooden roller coaster, The Giant Dipper. Your age doesn’t matter; you’ll have a great time at Mission Beach.
14. Oahu, Hawaii
Most of the best beaches in the U.S. are in Hawaii. I could have made a list of 50 beaches in that state alone.
Oahu is Hawaii’s most populated island. It’s home to the state capital, Honolulu, and numerous beaches that will leave you speechless. The iconic Waikiki Beach attracts tourists worldwide who gather to have fun and play in the warm waters.
Other more remote beaches on the island are Kaimana, Kuhlo, Eternity, Diamond Head, and Kahala Beach. These locations provide beautiful scenery; you can’t pass up Hanauma Bay if you are a snorkeling fanatic. It has some of the clearest waters for exploring underwater wildlife.
15. Maui, Hawaii
Maui is the second most visited island in the state of Hawaii. Visitors can attest to its impeccable beauty.
It’s almost impossible to rank the fantastic beaches on this island. My favorite was the tranquil Little Beach, which a friendly local guided me to visit. It was nicknamed Little Beach for a reason. I felt like I was alone in this mini-utopia.
Other must-stop beach locations include Ka’anapali, Napili, Wailea, Makena, and Kapalua Beach. For those looking for an adventure, the road to Hana will lead you through the tropical rainforest of Haleakala State Park to some of the most beautiful black sand beaches stretching out into the ocean.
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